Method And System Of Indoor Positioning Of A User And Delivery Of Information Thereto

ABSTRACT

Methods and systems of indoor positioning of a user and delivery of information thereto are described. A system may include a communication device and a plurality of networked devices. The communication device may receive incoming information which is intended for receipt by a user, and transmit a request signal responsive to the receiving of the incoming information. Each of the networked devices may receive the request signal, and determine which one of the networked devices is situated to notify the user of the incoming information. The networked device situated to notify the user may proceed to notify the user of the incoming information.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The inventive concept described herein is generally related to indoorpositioning and, more particularly, to techniques pertaining to indoorpositioning of a user and delivery of information thereto.

BACKGROUND

Unless otherwise indicated herein, approaches described in this sectionare not prior art to the claims listed below and are not admitted to beprior art by inclusion in this section.

With the prevalence of mobile communication devices such as smartphones,people are increasingly more dependent on sending and receiving messagesusing a mobile communication device. Nevertheless, there may be timeswhen a user of a mobile communication device is temporarily away fromthe mobile communication device. There may also be times when animportant message the user would not want to miss is received at themobile communication device when the user happens to be away from themobile communication device.

SUMMARY

The following summary is illustrative only and is not intended to belimiting in any way. That is, the following summary is provided tointroduce concepts, highlights, benefits and advantages of the novel andnon-obvious techniques described herein. Select implementations arefurther described below in the detailed description. Thus, the followingsummary is not intended to identify essential features of the claimedsubject matter, nor is it intended for use in determining the scope ofthe claimed subject matter.

An objective of the present disclosure is to provide schemes,techniques, methods, apparatuses and systems for indoor positioning of auser and delivery of information to the user. Advantageously,implementations of the present disclosure help a user avoid missingmessages received at a communication device from which the user is away.

In one aspect, a method may involve a communication device receivingincoming information which is intended for receipt by a user. The methodmay also involve the communication device transmitting a request signalto a plurality of networked devices, with the request signal indicatingthe receiving of the incoming information. The method may furtherinvolve the communication device receiving a response signal indicatingthat a first networked device of the plurality of networked devices issituated to notify the user of the incoming information.

In another aspect, a method may involve a first networked devicereceiving a request signal originated from a communication device, withthe request signal indicating the communication device receivingincoming information which is intended for receipt by a user. The methodmay also involve the first networked device determining whether thefirst networked device is situated to notify the user of the incominginformation. The method may further involve the first networked deviceproviding a notification to the user responsive to a determination thatthe first networked device is situated to notify the user.

In yet another aspect, a system may include a communication device, aplurality of networked devices, and an access point devicecommunicatively connected to the communication device and the pluralityof networked devices. The communication device may be configured toreceive incoming information which is intended for receipt by a user,and transmit a first request signal responsive to receiving the incominginformation. The first request signal may indicate the receiving of theincoming information at the communication device. The access pointdevice may be configured to receive the first request signal, anddetermine a position of the user. The access point device may also beconfigured to determine that a first networked device of the pluralityof networked devices is situated to notify the user of the incominginformation. The access point device may be further configured totransmit a response signal to the communication device, with theresponse signal indicating that the first networked device is situatedto notify the user of the incoming information.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings are included to provide a furtherunderstanding of the disclosure, and are incorporated in and constitutea part of the present disclosure. The drawings illustrateimplementations of the disclosure and, together with the description,serve to explain the principles of the disclosure. It is appreciablethat the drawings are not necessarily in scale as some components may beshown to be out of proportion than the size in actual implementation inorder to clearly illustrate the concept of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1 is a diagram of an example environment in which a system inaccordance with an implementation of the present disclosure operates.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an example device in accordance with animplementation of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of an example process in accordance with animplementation of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of an example process in accordance with anotherimplementation of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of an example process in accordance with yetanother implementation of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED IMPLEMENTATIONS Overview

In various implementations of the present disclosure, networked devicesin a space may be aware of the relative position and distance among eachother. When a user is within the space the network devices may determinewhich one of the networked devices is optimally situated, e.g., closestor optimally oriented in a suitable direction, to notify the user of anincoming message received at a communication device which may, at themoment, not in the proximity of the user. For instance, one or morenetworked devices 130(1)-130(N) may be equipped with a camera and mayperiodically activate the camera to capture image(s) of the space toidentify the direction in which user 140 and/or the respective networkeddevice is facing.

In the modern days, people often carry a mobile communication device,e.g., a smartphone, as a means to stay “connected”. However, when a userof a mobile communication device gets home he may leave the mobilecommunication device on a desk or a bed in the bedroom, and then move onto do house chores in the same or a different room/space of the home,e.g., kitchen. If, coincidentally, a call from an important clientarrives at the mobile communication device, implementations of thepresent disclosure may be able to help the user receive the call insteadof missing the call, given that the home of the user is equipped with anumber of networked devices configured to function in accordance withthe present disclosure.

Implementations of the present disclosure may utilize any of one or moresuitable indoor positioning technology or system, including theBluetooth Low Energy (BLE) technology (also known as “Bluetooth Smart”),to determine the relative location or position of each of multiplenetworked devices in the home or a given location/space. For instance,wireless beacon devices may be used with each beacon device emittingwireless beacon signals as well receiving wireless beacon signalsemitted by one or more other beacon devices in the surrounding. Anysuitable wireless technology, standard or protocol may be utilized,including but not limited to, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, BLE, near fieldcommunication (NFC), infrared, radio frequency identification (RFID),subsonic waves, sonic waves, ultrasonic waves and yet-to-be-developedwireless technologies.

Utilizing one or more of the above-listed technologies, standards andprotocols, the determination of which one of the multiple networkeddevices is optimally situated may be rendered. A networked device may bedetermined to be optimally situated to notify the user when thenetworked device is nearest the user compared to other networked devicesin the same space. Alternatively or additionally, a networked device maybe determined to be optimally situated to notify the user when thenetworked device is oriented to provide notification to the user. Forinstance, a first networked device may be nearer the user compared to asecond networked device, but a display panel of the second networkeddevice may be directly facing the user while the first networked devicemay have no display capability or may have a display panel that isfacing away from the user. In such case the second networked device maybe determined to be more optimally situated than the first networkeddevice to provide notification to the user, e.g., when the notificationto be delivered is to be visually displayed to the user.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example environment 100 in which a system inaccordance with an implementation of the present disclosure operates.

Example environment 100 may be implemented in any suitable location,space or setting with multiple networked appliances or networked devices130(1)-130(N) located therein, where N is a positive integer greaterthan one. For illustrative purpose without limiting the scope of thepresent disclosure, in FIG. 1 example environment 100 is shown as beingimplemented in a home 105 of a user 140. Home 105 may be divided intomultiple living spaces including, for example, a living room, a kitchen,a storage room and two bedrooms as shown in FIG. 1. Accordingly,networked devices 130(1)-130(N) may include, for example, a toaster asnetworked device 130(1), a microwave as networked device 130(2), an airconditioner as networked device 130(3), a television in one of thebedrooms as networked device 130(4), a refrigerator as networked device130(5), and a television in the living room as networked device 130(N).Those skilled in the art would appreciate that, although a home settingis shown in example environment 100, implementations of the presentdisclosure are not limited to a home setting.

Example environment 100 may further include a mobile communicationdevice 110, e.g., a smartphone, smartwatch, personal digital assistant(PDA), tablet computer, phablet, wearable computing device or the like,which is capable of user interaction with user 140 as well as receivingand transmitting data in the form of texts, audible signals, visualsignals, audio information, video message and/or multimedia. User 140may configure settings on mobile communication device 110 to indicatewhat types of information, date or messages are deemed “important” andtherefore mobile communication device 110 is to notify user 140, usingtechniques in accordance with the present disclosure, as mobilecommunication device 110 receives any of such “important” information,data, messages and/or calls when user 140 is not in proximity of andaway from mobile communication device 110. For instance, user 140 mayconfigure mobile communication device 110 to notify user 140 aboutreceipt of any incoming calls, text messages, emails and/or video callsessions from a select number of individuals, e.g., spouse of user 140,child(ren) of user 140, boss from work and the like. Alternatively oradditionally, user 140 may configure mobile communication device 110 tonotify user 140 about receipt of one or more particular types ofincoming information, data or messages regardless of sending party.Accordingly, mobile communication device 110 is to notify user 140, viaone or more of networked devices 130(1)-130(N), when mobilecommunication device 110 receives “important” incoming information,data, messages or calls.

Using beacon signals or any suitable wireless technology, the networkeddevices 130(1)-130(N) may be communicatively connected to each other.Thus, after one of the networked devices 130(1)-130(N) becomes aware ofthe position or location of mobile communication device 110, it maytransmit information about the position or location of mobilecommunication device 110 to others of networked devices 130(1)-130(N) sothat they are also aware of the position or location of mobilecommunication device 110.

Example environment 100 may optionally include an access point device120, e.g., a Wi-Fi access point device, which is communicativelyconnected to each of the networked devices 130(1)-130(N). Access pointdevice 120 may function as the hub of communication among networkeddevices 130(1)-130(N). That is, instead of or in addition tocommunicating directly with each other, networked devices 130(1)-130(N)may communicate with each other through access point device 120.Additionally or alternatively, access point device 120 may function as aconduit of communication between mobile communication device 110 and oneor more of networked devices 130(1)-130(N). That is, communicationbetween one or more of networked devices 130(1)-130(N) with mobilecommunication device 110 may be through access point device 120.Moreover, access point device 120 may be configured to receive, collector otherwise gather information from each of networked devices130(1)-130(N) to determine the location or position of user 140, thelocation or position of each of networked devices 130(1)-130(N), as wellas which one of networked devices 130(1)-130(N) is optimally situated toprovide notification to user 140 at a given time.

In one scenario, networked devices 130(1)-130(N) may be able to detectthe presence and approximate location of user 140 based at least in parton positional/locational information provided by a wearable or portabledevice carried by user 140. For instance, the wearable or portabledevice carried by user 140 may be equipped with one or more sensors,e.g., gyroscope and/or global positioning system (GPS) chip, which maysense the movement, orientation, position or location of the wearable orportable device carried by user 140 and correspondingly generate datarepresentative of the results of the sensing. Such data may bewirelessly transmitted to and received by one or more of networkeddevices 130(1)-130(N) when the wearable or portable device carried byuser 140 is communicatively connected to one or more of networkeddevices 130(1)-130(N), even if the distance between the wearable orportable device carried by user 140 and mobile communication device 110is outside a normal Bluetooth communication range therebetween.

In another scenario, one or more of networked devices 130(1)-130(N) maybe equipped of microphone. As a microphone can receive audible signals,sounds waves, subsonic waves, sonic waves and/or ultrasonic wavesgenerated by user 140, e.g., as user 140 moves about in the home 105 andas user 140 speaks to other family members or on the phone. Based onanalysis of volume and voiceprint, the one or more of networked devices130(1)-130(N) may be able to determine the relative distance betweenuser 140 and such one or more microphone-equipped networked devices.Accordingly, networked devices 130(1)-130(N) may then determine whichone among all of the networked devices 130(1)-130(N) is the closest ornearest one to user 140. One or more of networked devices 130(1)-130(N)may be capable of transmitting waves, e.g., ultrasonic waves, which maybe reflected by user 140 as user 140 moves about in home 105. This mayallow the one or more of networked devices 130(1)-130(N) equipped withsuch capability to determine the position or location of user 140, andtransmit information of the determined position or location of user 140to other ones of networked devices 130(1)-130(N).

In still another scenario, the strength of Wi-Fi signals emitted frommobile communication device 110 may be used as a way to determine thelocation of mobile communication device 110, e.g., by triangulation whenmultiple ones of the networked devices 130(1)-130(N) can receive anddetermine the strength of Wi-Fi signals from mobile communication device110. Moreover, given the presence of a Wi-Fi access point device 120,the strength of Wi-Fi signal between the access point device 120 andeach of networked devices 130(1)-130(N) may be used to determine theposition or location of networked devices 130(1)-130(N) relative to theaccess point device 120. Furthermore, amongst the networked devices130(1)-130(N), any suitable mechanism, e.g., BLE broadcast, may be usedto communicate with each other to determine the relative distancebetween each pair of the networked devices 130(1)-130(N).

As shown in FIG. 1, user 140 may be at least temporarily away frommobile communication device 110, e.g., by leaving mobile communicationdevice 110 on a desk in one of the bedrooms before heading to thekitchen to prepare dinner. User 140 may or may not carry a wearable orportable device which is communicatively connected to one or more ofnetworked devices 130(1)-130(N). In any event, in example environment100 the position or location of user 140 in home 105 may be detected anddetermined by one or more of networked devices 130(1)-130(N).

While user 140 is away from mobile communication device 110, a textmessage, an email, a voice call, a video call, an invitation to start avideo conference call or a reminder message (all of which referred to as“incoming information 115” herein), intended for receipt by user 140,may be received by mobile communication device 110. Responsive toreceiving incoming information 115, mobile communication device 110 maytransmit a first request signal indicating the receipt of incominginformation 115. One or more of networked devices 130(1)-130(N) mayreceive the first request, whether directly or indirectly through accesspoint device 120. Thereafter, the networked devices 130(1)-130(N)determine which one of them is situated to notify user 140 of incominginformation 115. For simplicity of description without limiting thescope of the present disclosure, in the example described herein,networked device 130(1) is determined to be optimally situated toprovide notification to user 140. Once it is determined that networkeddevice 130(1) is optimally situated to notify user 140 about incominginformation 115, networked device 130(1) (or any other one of thenetworked device 130(2)-130(N)) may transmit a response signalindicating that networked device 130(1) is situated to notify user 140of incoming information 115. Mobile communication device 110 may receivethe response signal directly from networked device 130(1), indirectlythrough one or more other networked devices 130(2)-130(N), or indirectlythrough access point device 120. In response, mobile communicationdevice 110 may transmit to networked device 130(1), whether directly tonetworked device 130(1), indirectly through one or more other networkeddevices 130(2)-130(N), or indirectly through access point device 120, asecond request signal that causes networked device 130(1) to notify user140 of incoming information 115. Accordingly, networked device 130(1)may then provide a notification to user 140 after it is determined thatnetworked device 130(1) is optimally situated to notify user 140. Forinstance, networked device 130(1) may be equipped with a light thatflashes or may be equipped with a speaker that plays a sound or apre-recorded message, e.g., “You have an incoming call”, to alert user140 of the receipt of incoming information 115 at mobile communicationdevice 110. As a result, user 140 may go to mobile communication device115 to receive incoming information 115. Accordingly, mobilecommunication device 115 may receive an input from user 140 and provideincoming information 115 to user 140.

In example environment 100, at least one of the networked devices130(1)-130(N) or, alternatively, access point device 120 may beconfigured to determine which one of the networked devices 130(1)-130(N)is optimally situated to provide notification to user 140 regarding thereceipt of incoming information 115. In some implementations, indetermining which one of the networked devices 130(1)-130(N) isoptimally situated to provide notification to user 140 regarding thereceipt of incoming information 115, access point device 120 or one ormore of networked devices 130(1)-130(N) may perform operationsincluding: obtaining position information indicating a position of user140; receiving information indicating or determining a first distancebetween user 140 and networked device 130(1) based at least in part onthe position information; receiving information indicating ordetermining a second distance between user 140 and at least another oneof networked devices 130(2)-130(N), e.g., that of networked device130(2); comparing the first distance and the second distance; anddetermining that networked device 130(1) is optimally situated to notifyuser 140 in response to a result of the comparing indicating the firstdistance being less than the second distance. The position informationmay be provided by one or more of networked devices 130(1)-130(N)capable of determining the position or location of user 140. The firstdistance and second distance may be calculated, computed, estimated orotherwise determined by access point device 120 or one or more of thenetworked devices 130(1)-130(N). In this example, networked device130(1) may be better situated to provide notification to user 140because it is physically closest to user 140 than any other ones ofnetworked devices 130(2)-130(N).

In some implementations, in determining which one of the networkeddevices 130(1)-130(N) is optimally situated to provide notification touser 140 regarding the receipt of incoming information 115, access pointdevice 120 or one or more of networked devices 130(1)-130(N) may performoperations including: obtaining position information indicating aposition of user 140; receiving information indicating or determining afirst direction in which networked device 130(1) is generally orientedto provide either or both audio and visual signals; receivinginformation indicating or determining a second direction in which atleast another one of networked devices 130(2)-130(N), e.g., networkeddevice 130(2), is generally oriented to provide either or both audio andvisual signals; comparing the first direction and the second directionwith respect to the position of user 140; and determining that networkeddevice 130(1) is optimally situated to notify user 140 in response to aresult of the comparing indicating the first direction being more towardthe user than the second direction. The direction of each of networkeddevices 130(1)-130(N) may be provided by each of networked devices130(1)-130(N). In this example, networked device 130(1) may be bettersituated to provide notification to user 140 because a display orspeaker of networked device 130(1) is better pointed or directed at user140 than that of networked device 130(2).

In some implementations, in determining which one of the networkeddevices 130(1)-130(N) is optimally situated to provide notification touser 140 regarding the receipt of incoming information 115, access pointdevice 120 or one or more of networked devices 130(1)-130(N) may performoperations including: obtaining position information indicating aposition of user 140; receiving information indicating or determining afirst distance between user 140 and networked device 130(1) based atleast in part on the position information; receiving informationindicating or determining a first direction in which networked device130(1) is generally oriented to provide either or both audio and visualsignals; receiving information indicating or determining a seconddistance between user 140 and at least another one of networked devices130(2)-130(N), e.g., networked device 130(2); receiving informationindicating or determining a second direction in which at least anotherone of networked devices 130(2)-130(N), e.g., networked device 130(2),is generally oriented to provide either or both audio and visualsignals; comparing the first distance and the second distance; comparingthe first direction and the second direction with respect to theposition of user 140; and determining that networked device 130(2) isbetter situated to notify user 140 in response to a result of thecomparing of the first distance and the second distance indicating thefirst distance being less than the second distance and a result of thecomparing of the first direction and the second direction indicating thesecond direction being more toward user 140 than the first direction.The position information may be provided by one or more of networkeddevices 130(1)-130(N) capable of determining the position or location ofuser 140. The first distance and second distance may be calculated,computed, estimated or otherwise determined by access point device 120or one or more of the networked devices 130(1)-130(N). The direction ofeach of networked devices 130(1)-130(N) may be provided by each ofnetworked devices 130(1)-130(N). In this example, even though networkeddevice 130(1) may be physically closer to user 140, networked device130(2) may be better situated to provide notification to user 140because a display or speaker of networked device 130(2) is betterpointed or directed at user 140 than that of networked device 130(1).

In some implementations, in obtaining position information indicating aposition of user 140, access point device 120 or one or more ofnetworked devices 130(1)-130(N) may perform operations including:receiving information indicating or determining a first estimatedposition of user 140 relative to a first networked device, e.g.,networked device 130(1); receiving information indicating or determininga second estimated position of user 140 relative to a second networkeddevice, e.g., networked device 130(2); and determining the position ofuser 140 based at least in part on the first estimated position and thesecond estimated position. In some implementations, in determining thefirst estimated position of user 140 relative to the first networkeddevice, access point device 120 or one or more of networked devices130(1)-130(N) may determine the first estimated position using one ormore of a sound received by a microphone associated with the firstnetworked device, a strength of a wireless signal received by the firstnetworked device from a portable device carried by the user, or anultrasonic signal received by the first networked device. The wirelesssignal may include one or more of the following: a Wi-Fi signal, aBluetooth signal, an NFC signal, an infrared signal, or a RFID signal.

In some implementations, in determining the first estimated position ofuser 140 relative to the first networked device, e.g., networked device130(1), and the second estimated position of user 140 relative to thesecond networked device, e.g., networked device 130(2), access pointdevice 120 may determine the first and second estimated positions usingone or more of a sound received by a microphone associated with thefirst networked device, a sound received by a microphone associated withthe second networked device, a strength of a wireless signal received bythe first networked device from a portable device carried by the user, astrength of the wireless signal received by the second networked devicefrom the portable device carried by the user, an ultrasonic signalreceived by the first networked device, or an ultrasonic signal receivedby the second networked device. The wireless signal may include one ormore of the following: a Wi-Fi signal, a Bluetooth signal, an NFCsignal, an infrared signal, or a RFID signal.

Example Implementations

FIG. 2 illustrates an example device 200 in accordance with animplementation of the present disclosure.

Example device 200 may perform various functions related to techniques,methods and systems described herein. In some implementations, exampledevice 200 may include at least those components shown in FIG. 2, suchas a communication unit 210, a processing unit 220 and a storage unit230. Although communication unit 210, processing unit 220 and storageunit 230 are depicted as discrete components separate from each other,in various implementations some or all of communication unit 210,processing unit 220 and storage unit 230 may be integral parts of asingle module in the form of an integrated circuit (IC), chip orchipset. Each of communication unit 210, processing unit 220 and storageunit 230 may be implemented in the form of a physical circuit ofelectronic components such as transistors, resistors, capacitors,inductors and/or memristors (and optional firmware, middleware,software, or any combination thereof) configured to perform therespective function(s) described herein. In some implementations,example device 200 may be implemented as a chip or a portion of a chipinstalled in mobile communication device 110, access point device 120and/or one or more of networked devices 130(1)-130(N) to enable mobilecommunication device 110, access point device 120 and/or one or more ofnetworked devices 130(1)-130(N) to perform functions thereof asdescribed herein.

Communication unit 210 may be configured to transmit and receivesignals, e.g., to and from mobile communication device 110, access pointdevice 120 or one or more of networked devices 130(1)-130(N).Communication unit 210 may transmit or receive signals wirelessly usingone or more suitable technologies, standards and protocols such as, forexample, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, BLE, NFC, infrared, RFID, subsonic waves,sonic waves, ultrasonic waves and yet-to-be-developed wirelesstechnologies.

Storage unit 230 may be configured to store information such as positioninformation of user 140, estimated distance between user 140 and one ormore of networked devices 130(1)-130(N), positional/locationalinformation and directional information of one or more of networkeddevices 130(1)-130(N), and any other information used in variousimplementations of the present disclosure. Storage unit 230 may also beconfigured to store one or more sets of processor-executableinstructions. The one or more sets of processor-executable instructionsmay be firmware, middleware, software or any combination thereof.Storage unit 230 may be in the form of any combination of one or morecomputer-usable or non-transitory computer-readable media. For example,storage unit 230 may be in the form of one or more of a removablecomputer diskette, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM) device, aread-only memory (ROM) device, an erasable programmable read-only memory(EPROM or Flash memory) device, a removable compact disc read-onlymemory (CDROM), an optical storage device, a magnetic storage device, orany suitable storage device. Computer program code for carrying outoperations of the present disclosure may be written in any combinationof one or more programming languages. Such code, or processor-executableinstruction, may be compiled from source code to computer-readableassembly language or machine code suitable for the device or computer onwhich the code will be executed.

Processing unit 220 may be coupled to storage unit 230 and communicationunit 210. Processing unit 220 may be configured to determine orotherwise estimate the position or location of user 140, determine orotherwise estimate the position or location of one or more of networkeddevices 130(1)-130(N), determine or otherwise estimate the distancebetween user 140 and one or more of networked devices 130(1)-130(N),determine or otherwise estimate the direction of one or more ofnetworked devices 130(1)-130(N) with respect to user 140, and determinewhich one of networked devices 130(1)-130(N) is optimally situated toprovide notification to user 140 regarding the receipt of incominginformation 115 at mobile communication device 110.

FIG. 3 illustrates an example process 300 in accordance with animplementation of the present disclosure.

Example process 300 may include one or more operations, actions, orfunctions as illustrated by one or more of blocks 310, 320 and 330.Although illustrated as discrete blocks, various blocks may be dividedinto additional blocks, combined into fewer blocks, or eliminated,depending on the desired implementation. Example process 300 may beimplemented by communication device 110. For illustrative purposes, theoperations described below with respect to example process 300 areperformed by communication device 110 in the context of exampleenvironment 100. Example process 300 may begin at block 310.

Block 310 (Receive Incoming Information Intended For User) may refer tocommunication device 110 receiving incoming information which isintended for receipt by user 140. Block 310 may be followed by block320.

Block 320 (Transmit Request To Networked Devices Indicating Receipt OfIncoming Information) may refer to communication device 110 transmittinga first request signal to the plurality of networked devices130(1)-130(N), with the first request signal indicating the receipt ofthe incoming information by communication device 110. Block 320 may befollowed by block 330.

Block 330 (Receive Response Indicating Suitable Networked Device ToNotify User) may refer to communication device 110 receiving a responsesignal indicating that networked device 130(1) of the plurality ofnetworked devices 130(1)-130(N) is situated to notify user 140 of theincoming information.

In some implementations, example process 300 may also involvecommunication device 110 transmitting, to networked device 130(1), asecond request signal that causes networked device 130(1) to notify user140 of the incoming information. In some implementations, exampleprocess 300 may further involve communication device 110 receiving aninput from user 140 (e.g., as a result of user 140 moves to proximity ofcommunication device 110 after receiving the notification from networkeddevice 130(1)). Example process 300 may additionally involvecommunication device 110 providing the incoming information to user 140responsive to receiving the input.

In some implementations, in receiving the response signal, exampleprocess 300 may involve communication device 110 receiving the responsesignal originated from networked device 130(1), e.g., via access pointdevice 120.

In some implementations, in receiving of the response signal, exampleprocess 300 may involve communication device 110 receiving the responsesignal originated from another networked device (e.g., any of networkeddevices 130(2)-130(N)).

In some implementations, in transmitting and receiving, example process300 may involve communication device 110 transmitting and receiving viaaccess point device 120 which is communicatively connected to theplurality of networked devices 130(1)-130(N).

FIG. 4 illustrates an example process 400 in accordance with animplementation of the present disclosure.

Example process 400 may include one or more operations, actions, orfunctions as illustrated by one or more of blocks 410, 420 and 430.Although illustrated as discrete blocks, various blocks may be dividedinto additional blocks, combined into fewer blocks, or eliminated,depending on the desired implementation. Example process 400 may beimplemented by any of networked devices 130(1)-130(N). For illustrativepurposes, the operations described below with respect to example process400 are performed by networked devices 130(1) and 130(2) in the contextof example environment 100. Example process 400 may begin at block 410.

Block 410 (Receive Request Indicating Incoming Information Intended ForUser) may refer to networked device 130(1) receiving a request signaloriginated from communication device 110. The request signal mayindicate that communication device 110 has received incoming informationwhich is intended for receipt by user 140. Block 410 may be followed byblock 420.

Block 420 (Determine Networked Device Suitable To Notify User) may referto networked device 130(1) determining whether networked device 130(1)is situated to notify user 140 of the incoming information. Block 420may be followed by block 430.

Block 430 (Provide Notification To User) may refer to networked device130(1) providing a notification to user 140 responsive to adetermination that networked device 130(1) is situated to notify user140.

In some implementations, in receiving the request signal, exampleprocess 400 may involve networked device 130(1) receiving the requestsignal via access point device 120 which is communicatively connected tothe networked device 130(1).

In some implementations, example process 400 may additionally involvenetworked device 130(1) transmitting a response signal indicating thatnetworked device 130(1) is situated to notify user 140 of the incominginformation responsive to the determination that networked device 130(1)is situated to notify user 140.

In some implementations, in determining whether networked device 130(1)is situated to notify user 140 of the incoming information, exampleprocess 400 may involve networked device 130(1) performing operationsthat include the following: obtaining position information indicating aposition of user 140; determining a first distance between user 140 andnetworked device 130(1) based at least in part on the positioninformation; receiving information (e.g., via access point device 120)which indicates a second distance between user 140 and networked device130(2); comparing the first distance and the second distance; anddetermining that networked device 130(1) is situated to notify user 140in response to a result of the comparing indicating the first distancebeing less than the second distance.

In some implementations, in determining whether networked device 130(1)is situated to notify user 140 of the incoming information, exampleprocess 400 may involve networked device 130(1) performing operationsthat include the following: obtaining position information indicating aposition of user 140; determining a first direction in which networkeddevice 130(1) is generally oriented to provide either or both audio andvisual signals; receiving information (e.g., via access point device120) which indicates a second direction in which networked device 130(2)is generally oriented to provide either or both audio and visualsignals; comparing the first direction and the second direction withrespect to the position of user 140; and determining that networkeddevice 130(1) is situated to notify user 140 in response to a result ofthe comparing indicating the first direction being more toward user 140than the second direction.

In some implementations, in determining whether networked device 130(1)is situated to notify user 140 of the incoming information, exampleprocess 400 may involve networked device 130(1) performing operationsthat include the following: obtaining position information indicating aposition of user 140; determining a first distance between user 140 andnetworked device 130(1) based at least in part on the positioninformation; determining a first direction in which networked device130(1) is generally oriented to provide either or both audio and visualsignals; receiving information (e.g., via access point device 120) whichindicates a second distance between user 140 and networked device130(2); receiving information (e.g., via access point device 120) whichindicates a second direction in which networked device 130(2) isgenerally oriented to provide either or both audio and visual signals;comparing the first distance and the second distance; comparing thefirst direction and the second direction; and determining that networkeddevice 130(2) is situated to notify user 140 in response to a result ofthe comparing of the first distance and the second distance indicatingthe first distance being less than the second distance and a result ofthe comparing of the first direction and the second direction indicatingthe second direction being more toward user 140 than the firstdirection.

In some implementations, example process 400 may also involve networkeddevice 130(1) obtaining position information indicating a position ofuser 140.

In some implementations, in obtaining the position informationindicating the position of user 140, example process 400 may involvenetworked device 130(1) performing operations that include thefollowing: determining a first estimated position of user 140 relativeto networked device 130(1); receiving (e.g., via access point device120) a second estimated position of user 140 relative to networkeddevice 130(2); and determining the position of user 140 based at leastin part on the first estimated position and the second estimatedposition.

In some implementations, in determining the first estimated position ofuser 140 relative to networked device 130(1), example process 400 mayinvolve networked device 130(1) determining the first estimated positionof user 140 using one or more of a sound received by a microphoneassociated with networked device 130(1), a strength of a wireless signalreceived by networked device 130(1) from a portable device carried byuser 140, or an ultrasonic signal received by networked device 130(1).

In some implementations, the wireless signal may include a Wi-Fi signal,a Bluetooth signal, a near field communication (NFC) signal, an infraredsignal, or a radio frequency identification (RFID) signal.

FIG. 5 illustrates an example process 500 in accordance with animplementation of the present disclosure.

Example process 500 may include one or more operations, actions, orfunctions as illustrated by one or more of blocks 510, 520, 530 and 540.Although illustrated as discrete blocks, various blocks may be dividedinto additional blocks, combined into fewer blocks, or eliminated,depending on the desired implementation. Example process 500 may beimplemented by access point device 120. For illustrative purposes, theoperations described below with respect to example process 500 areperformed by access point device 120 in the context of exampleenvironment 100. Example process 500 may begin at block 510.

Block 510 (Receive Request Indicating Incoming Information Intended ForUser) may refer to access point device 120 receiving a first requestsignal, e.g., from communication device 110. Block 510 may be followedby block 520.

Block 520 (Determine User Position) may refer to access point device 120determining a position of user 120. Block 520 may be followed by block530.

Block 530 (Determine Networked Device Suitable To Notify User) may referto access point device 120 determining that networked device 130(1) ofthe plurality of networked devices 130(1)-130(N) is situated to notifyuser 140 of the incoming information. Block 530 may be followed by block540.

Block 540 (Transmit Response Indicating Suitable Networked Device) mayrefer to access point device 120 transmitting a response signal tocommunication device 110 to indicate that networked device 130(1) issituated to notify user 140 of the incoming information.

In some implementations, in determining that networked device 130(1) issituated to notify user 140 of the incoming information, example process500 may involve access point device 120 performing operations thatinclude the following: determining a first distance between user 140 andnetworked device 130(1) based at least in part on the position of user140; determining a second distance between user 140 and networked device130(2); comparing the first distance and the second distance; anddetermining that networked device 130(1) is situated to notify user 140in response to a result of the comparing indicating the first distancebeing less than the second distance.

In some implementations, in determining that networked device 130(1) issituated to notify user 140 of the incoming information, example process500 may involve access point device 120 performing operations thatinclude the following: determining a first direction in which networkeddevice 130(1) is generally oriented to provide either or both audio andvisual signals; determining a second direction in which networked device130(2) is generally oriented to provide either or both audio and visualsignals; comparing the first direction and the second direction withrespect to the position of user 140; and determining that networkeddevice 130(1) is situated to notify user 140 in response to a result ofthe comparing indicating the first direction being more toward user 140than the second direction.

In some implementations, in determining that networked device 130(1) issituated to notify user 140 of the incoming information, example process500 may involve access point device 120 performing operations thatinclude the following: determining a first distance between user 140 andnetworked device 130(1) based at least in part on the position of user140; determining a first direction in which networked device 130(1) isgenerally oriented to provide either or both audio and visual signals;determining a second distance between user 140 and networked device130(2); determining a second direction in which networked device 130(2)is generally oriented to provide either or both audio and visualsignals; comparing the first distance and the second distance; comparingthe first direction and the second direction; and determining thatnetworked device 130(2) is situated to notify user 140 in response to aresult of the comparing of the first distance and the second distanceindicating the first distance being less than the second distance and aresult of the comparing of the first direction and the second directionindicating the second direction being more toward the user than thefirst direction.

In some implementations, in determining the position of user 140,example process 500 may involve access point device 120 performingoperations that include the following: determining a first estimatedposition of user 140 relative to networked device 130(1); determining asecond estimated position of user 140 relative to networked device130(2); and determining the position of user 140 based at least in parton the first estimated position and the second estimated position.

In some implementations, in determining the first estimated position ofuser 140 relative to networked device 130(1) as well as the secondestimated position of user 140 relative to networked device 130(2),example process 500 may involve access point device 120 determining thefirst and second estimated positions using one or more of a soundreceived by a microphone associated with networked device 130(1), asound received by a microphone associated with networked device 130(2),a strength of a wireless signal received by networked device 130(1) froma portable device carried by user 140, a strength of the wireless signalreceived by networked device 130(2) from the portable device carried byuser 140, an ultrasonic signal received by networked device 130(1), oran ultrasonic signal received by networked device 130(2).

In some implementations, the wireless signal may include a Wi-Fi signal,a Bluetooth signal, an NFC signal, an infrared signal, or a RFID signal.

Additional Notes

The herein-described subject matter sometimes illustrates differentcomponents contained within, or connected with, different othercomponents. It is to be understood that such depicted architectures aremerely examples, and that in fact many other architectures can beimplemented which achieve the same functionality. In a conceptual sense,any arrangement of components to achieve the same functionality iseffectively “associated” such that the desired functionality isachieved. Hence, any two components herein combined to achieve aparticular functionality can be seen as “associated with” each othersuch that the desired functionality is achieved, irrespective ofarchitectures or intermedial components. Likewise, any two components soassociated can also be viewed as being “operably connected”, or“operably coupled”, to each other to achieve the desired functionality,and any two components capable of being so associated can also be viewedas being “operably couplable”, to each other to achieve the desiredfunctionality. Specific examples of operably couplable include but arenot limited to physically mateable and/or physically interactingcomponents and/or wirelessly interactable and/or wirelessly interactingcomponents and/or logically interacting and/or logically interactablecomponents.

Further, with respect to the use of substantially any plural and/orsingular terms herein, those having skill in the art can translate fromthe plural to the singular and/or from the singular to the plural as isappropriate to the context and/or application. The varioussingular/plural permutations may be expressly set forth herein for sakeof clarity.

Moreover, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that, ingeneral, terms used herein, and especially in the appended claims, e.g.,bodies of the appended claims, are generally intended as “open” terms,e.g., the term “including” should be interpreted as “including but notlimited to,” the term “having” should be interpreted as “having atleast,” the term “includes” should be interpreted as “includes but isnot limited to,” etc. It will be further understood by those within theart that if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation isintended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and inthe absence of such recitation no such intent is present. For example,as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims may containusage of the introductory phrases “at least one” and “one or more” tointroduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases should notbe construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by theindefinite articles “a” or “an” limits any particular claim containingsuch introduced claim recitation to implementations containing only onesuch recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductoryphrases “one or more” or “at least one” and indefinite articles such as“a” or “an,” e.g., “a” and/or “an” should be interpreted to mean “atleast one” or “one or more;” the same holds true for the use of definitearticles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, even if aspecific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited,those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should beinterpreted to mean at least the recited number, e.g., the barerecitation of “two recitations,” without other modifiers, means at leasttwo recitations, or two or more recitations. Furthermore, in thoseinstances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, and C,etc.” is used, in general such a construction is intended in the senseone having skill in the art would understand the convention, e.g., “asystem having at least one of A, B, and C” would include but not belimited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and Btogether, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and Ctogether, etc. In those instances where a convention analogous to “atleast one of A, B, or C, etc.” is used, in general such a constructionis intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understandthe convention, e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, or C” wouldinclude but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, Calone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A,B, and C together, etc. It will be further understood by those withinthe art that virtually any disjunctive word and/or phrase presenting twoor more alternative terms, whether in the description, claims, ordrawings, should be understood to contemplate the possibilities ofincluding one of the terms, either of the terms, or both terms. Forexample, the phrase “A or B” will be understood to include thepossibilities of “A” or “B” or “A and B.”

From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that various implementationsof the present disclosure have been described herein for purposes ofillustration, and that various modifications may be made withoutdeparting from the scope and spirit of the present disclosure.Accordingly, the various implementations disclosed herein are notintended to be limiting, with the true scope and spirit being indicatedby the following claims.

1. A method, comprising: receiving, by a communication device, incominginformation for a user; transmitting, by the communication device, afirst request signal to a plurality of networked devices, the firstrequest signal indicating the receiving of the incoming information; andreceiving, by the communication device from a second networked device ofthe plurality of networked devices, a response signal indicating that afirst networked device of the plurality of networked devices is situatedto notify the user of the incoming information.
 2. The method of claim1, further comprising: transmitting, by the communication device to thefirst networked device, a second request signal that causes the firstnetworked device to notify the user of the incoming information.
 3. Themethod of claim 2, further comprising: receiving, by the communicationdevice, an input from the user; and providing the incoming informationto the user responsive to receiving the input.
 4. The method of claim 1,wherein the receiving of the response signal comprises receiving theresponse signal originated from the first networked device. 5.(canceled)
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the transmitting andreceiving comprises transmitting and receiving via an access pointdevice which is communicatively connected to the plurality of networkeddevices.
 7. A method, comprising: receiving, by a first networked deviceof a plurality of networked devices, a request signal originated from acommunication device, the request signal indicating the communicationdevice receiving incoming information for a user; determining, by thefirst networked device, whether the first networked device is situatedto notify the user of the incoming information; and providing, by thefirst networked device, a notification to the user indicating that asecond networked device of the plurality of networked devices issituated to notify the user responsive to a determination that the firstnetworked device is not situated to notify the user.
 8. The method ofclaim 7, wherein the receiving comprises receiving via an access pointdevice which is communicatively connected to the first networked device.9. The method of claim 7, further comprising: transmitting, by the firstnetworked device, a response signal indicating that the first networkeddevice is situated to notify the user of the incoming informationresponsive to the determination that the first networked device issituated to notify the user.
 10. The method of claim 7, wherein thedetermining of whether the first networked device is situated to notifythe user of the incoming information comprises: receiving, from one ormore other networked devices of the plurality of networked devices,position information indicating a position of the user; determining afirst distance between the user and the first networked device based atleast in part on the position information; receiving informationindicating a second distance between the user and the second networkeddevice; comparing the first distance and the second distance; anddetermining that the first networked device is situated to notify theuser in response to a result of the comparing indicating the firstdistance being less than the second distance.
 11. The method of claim 7,wherein the determining of whether the first networked device issituated to notify the user of the incoming information comprises:receiving, from one or more other networked devices of the plurality ofnetworked devices, position information indicating a position of theuser; determining a first direction in which the first networked deviceis generally oriented to provide either or both audio and visualsignals; receiving information indicating a second direction in whichthe second networked device is generally oriented to provide either orboth audio and visual signals; comparing the first direction and thesecond direction with respect to the position of the user; anddetermining that the first networked device is situated to notify theuser in response to a result of the comparing indicating the firstdirection being more toward the user than the second direction.
 12. Themethod of claim 7, wherein the determining of whether the firstnetworked device is situated to notify the user of the incominginformation comprises receiving, from a portable device carried by theuser, position information indicating a position of the user.
 13. Themethod of claim 7, further comprising: determining position informationindicating a position of the user based on estimated positions of theuser relative to at least two networked devices of the plurality ofnetworked devices.
 14. The method of claim 13, wherein the determiningof the position information indicating the position of the user based onestimated positions of the user relative to at least two networkeddevices comprises: determining a first estimated position of the userrelative to the first networked device; receiving information indicatinga second estimated position of the user relative to the second networkeddevice; and determining the position of the user based at least in parton the first estimated position and the second estimated position. 15.The method of claim 14, wherein the determining of the first estimatedposition of the user relative to the first networked device comprisesdetermining using one or more of a sound received by a microphoneassociated with the first networked device, a strength of a wirelesssignal received by the first networked device from a portable devicecarried by the user, or an ultrasonic signal received by the firstnetworked device.
 16. A system, comprising: a communication deviceconfigured to perform operations comprising: receiving incominginformation for a user; and transmitting a first request signalresponsive to receiving the incoming information, the first requestsignal indicating the receiving of the incoming information at thecommunication device; a plurality of networked devices; and an accesspoint device communicatively connected to the communication device andthe plurality of networked devices, the access point device configuredto perform operations comprising: receiving the first request signal;determining a position of the user; determining that a first networkeddevice of the plurality of networked devices is situated to notify theuser of the incoming information; and transmitting a response signal tothe communication device, the response signal indicating that the firstnetworked device is situated to notify the user of the incominginformation.
 17. The system of claim 16, wherein: the communicationdevice is further configured to perform operations comprising: receivingthe response signal indicating that a first networked device of theplurality of networked devices is situated to notify the user of theincoming information; and transmitting a second request signal thatcauses the first networked device to notify the user of the incominginformation.
 18. The system of claim 17, wherein: the first networkeddevice is configured to perform operations comprising: receiving thesecond request signal; and providing a notification to the userresponsive to receiving the second request signal.
 19. The system ofclaim 16, wherein, in determining that the first networked device of theplurality of networked devices is situated to notify the user of theincoming information, the access point device is configured to performoperations comprises: determining a first distance between the user andthe first networked device based at least in part on the position of theuser; determining a second distance between the user and a secondnetworked device of the plurality of networked devices; comparing thefirst distance and the second distance; and determining that the firstnetworked device is situated to notify the user in response to a resultof the comparing indicating the first distance being less than thesecond distance.
 20. The system of claim 16, wherein, in determiningthat the first networked device of the plurality of networked devices issituated to notify the user of the incoming information, the accesspoint device is configured to perform operations comprises: determininga first direction in which the first networked device is generallyoriented to provide either or both audio and visual signals; determininga second direction in which a second networked device of the pluralityof networked devices is generally oriented to provide either or bothaudio and visual signals; comparing the first direction and the seconddirection with respect to the position of the user; and determining thatthe first networked device is situated to notify the user in response toa result of the comparing indicating the first direction being moretoward the user than the second direction.
 21. The system of claim 16,wherein, in determining the position of the user, the access pointdevice is configured to perform operations comprising: determining afirst estimated position of the user relative to the first networkeddevice; determining a second estimated position of the user relative toa second networked device of the plurality of networked devices; anddetermining the position of the user based at least in part on the firstestimated position and the second estimated position.
 22. The system ofclaim 21, wherein, in determining the first estimated position of theuser relative to the first networked device and the second estimatedposition of the user relative to the second networked device, the accesspoint device is configured to determine using one or more of a soundreceived by a microphone associated with the first networked device, asound received by a microphone associated with the second networkeddevice, a strength of a wireless signal received by the first networkeddevice from a portable device carried by the user, a strength of thewireless signal received by the second networked device from theportable device carried by the user, an ultrasonic signal received bythe first networked device, or an ultrasonic signal received by thesecond networked device.